Final over
On the Spot
Date of Birth: 15/02/1993 Marital Status: Girlfriend Lynsey
The Last
Bat you bought/used? It’s been quite a long time since I bought a bat. I think the last one I bought was probably a Gray Nicolls Powerbow when I was only about 14 or 15. It’s similar to the one I have now, but they do get slightly better over time. Song you downloaded? That would be Sugar by Maroon 5. It’s a couple of years old now but it’s just quite a catchy song. Five-wicket haul or century? My last century was against Yorkshire in the summer. We’d made a really good start at the Oval and then Kumar Sangakkara and I put on about 250 together, I ended up getting 110. As a keeper, sadly I don’t get many chances of getting a five-wicket haul so you’d have to go back a few years before I played first class! Injury you had? The last injury was in my back. In the summer I had a bulging disc, so I had to have an injection for that and missed a couple of games as a result. It was uncomfortable to be fair, it was one of those injuries that affects you in day-to-day life so it’s good to have it behind me. Trophy you won? That would be the Division Two Championship three years ago. It was my first year after moving from Essex. Obviously coming to a club like Surrey you want to win trophies but to win a trophy in the first year was a pretty cool feeling.
The Jury’s Out
Tea or coffee? Coffee, I drink it about eight times a day. I’m one of those blokes, I need it to keep myself going. Your last meal if you were on death row? I would probably just go to The Good Earth Chinese restaurant in London. It’s the best Chinese you could ever have. 50-over, T20 or County Championship? I’d probably have to go for 50-over, I’ve just done alright in it so far.
Time added on
Who did you support as a boy? That was Essex, they were my local team and it was great to be able to go on to play for them as well. Best coach you have ever played with? Bruce French is probably up there, the England wicketkeeping coach. Who’s most nervous person when next into bat? Arun Harinath. When he’s not opening he’s a bit on edge so one to steer clear of. Person to avoid after being dismissed? Jason Roy every day of the week. He’s not the best and there have certainly been a few damaged items when he’s got out cheaply. One rule you would change? I won’t lie, I’m not a massive fan of the new rule in the Championship that’s come in where you can play 104 overs the next day if there’s been a bit of rain. It makes for some pretty long days. Who’s your favourite pundit? I think Rob Key talks a lot of sense, and Freddie Flintoff in the T20 made it an event. He managed to make it not all about the cricket and just enjoyable which I think worked well. Do you have any superstitions? I have a weird one where I have to touch my belly button, chest, and chin before I face a ball, which is always a bit odd. I just have to do it in between every ball, and if I don’t I just feel an urge in those areas to just touch them, so I do. Hobbies? Other than golf, being new to London, my biggest hobby at the moment is just exploring when we get days off.
And finally:
Who is the worst dressed player at the club? It was Mark Footitt. He’s about ten years behind the trend. Baggy jeans and baggy tops and stuff like that.